Acer has just launched the very first laptops in the U.S. that are WiMAX-enabled.  Of course, people in Asia have been getting WiMAX laptops for the last year or so but hey, let’s just celebrate the fact that WiMAX is beginning its 4G speeds in the U.S.  This is just the start folks, you will begin to see people use WiMAX over all that other AT&T 3G crap.

SAN JOSE, Calif. and BALTIMORE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Acer America, part of the world’s third largest PC company (source: Gartner data, 2Q 2008), today unveiled its first WiMAX-enabled notebooks – Aspire 4930-6862 and Aspire 6930-6771 – in support of the nation’s first U.S. WiMAX wireless broadband network launched by XOHM in Baltimore. Demonstrating the company’s focus on delivering innovative technology solutions, the Aspire 4930-6862 and Aspire 6930-6771 are WiMAX-enabled Intel® Centrino 2-based notebooks with the first-ever combined WiMAX/Wi-Fi module, previously codenamed “Echo Peak,” part of the Intel WiMAX/Wi-Fi Link 5050 Series.

via engadget, Press Release

It looks like the Japanese are using barcodes for more than scanning, take a look at how they used barcodes as another place for advertising.  Great idea, I don’t see why U.S. companies are not doing this.

This kind of creative barcode design is completely new to me, but apparently it’s quite common in Asia - or at least Japan. Here’s a full gallery of some unusual product barcodes. Please comment if you have seen similar designs in your country (or if you are missing out on them as well).

via fosfor, source

Check out the EcoShack, a portable summer shelter designed for great air-flow and sustainability.

It’s a change from my regular old tent but it could be great for a permanent shelter for the summer on your backyard.

I must say the setup doesn’t look too pleasing to do but maybe worth it for a summer-long setup.

Designed by Ecoshack founder Stephanie Smith and inspired by shelters used in Asia for centuries, the Nomad is a fully-enclosed, eco-luxurious, portable outdoor room. Create a sanctuary in your backyard.  Also great at spa resorts, luxury campsites and hotels.

via inhabitat

Buy the Nomad Yurt here for $9700 and don’t break your arms, maybe sell a kidney.

(Picture via nickbaxter)

• 5 Strange Japanese Robots from Hacked Gadgets - these are really cool robots!
• Vintage Washing Robot - Hmmm… I wonder if this robot actually works…
• CommunistRobot - These guys have a collection of really cool robots around the world.
• Astroboy from Hirosh Araki - I think this robot is based on the cartoon. Way too cool… Popular in Asia. My ex-girlfriend wanted one of these Astroboy T-shirt (which was like $150), and I didn’t get her one so she dumped me ‘caz of it)
• Aldebaran Robotic - These guys have some really cool Linux based robots, nice!

Virgin is making some space travels available for regular maxes like you and me. Well, actually I’ve been reading about this on Time magazine but Bodin brought it up in his new travel blog, onearthtravel. (wait a minute, isn’t this out of earth?!?)

Anyway, check it out. One day, space travel will be like airplane travel. Pay $500 to goto mars or somethin’

Virgin Galactic is the world’s first ever venture into space tourism, giving you the
ground-breaking opportunity to be one of the first ever space tourists. Virgin
Galactic will own and operate its privately built spaceships, modeled on the
remarkable, history-making SpaceShipOne.